Tut and Annie proved perfectly matched playmates as they took turns chasing each other around the “large dog” side of Loch Haven Dog Park in Hoover, Alabama on February 20, 2016. The sky was overcast and Tut’s mom and I both had the same idea –- beat the rain to the dog park so our dogs could expend some energy!

Being the only ones there, we immediately struck up a conversation. Tut’s mom relayed a story to me about an incident she witnessed in the same enclosure several weeks ago. There were a number of large dogs present when a man entered with his dog. It was obvious the dog was uncomfortable with his surroundings and he attempted to remain close to his owner. The dogs that were already there came over for the customary “meet and greet” sniff.

A fight quickly ensued between the anxious newcomer and one of the other large dogs. A woman who was standing nearby tried to break it up, which only resulted in her being bitten. The owner broke up the fight and moved his dog a little farther away from the others, but not completely out of the enclosure.

While the Good Samaritan had the best of intentions, not being the dog’s owner, she had no authority over it.

Likewise, the anxious dog’s owner was amiss in not completely removing the dog from the enclosure thereby providing a more desirable environment for his dog and a safer environment for everyone else (both two- and four-legged alike).

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.